Mid-term Election State Ballot Initiatives on Abortion
Abortion is a major topic on the 2026 midterm ballots.
Here’s what’s happening and are already certified for the ballot:
• Nevada — Voters will decide whether to enshrine a right to abortion until fetal viability in the state constitution. This is the second time voters will decide on this amendment, as Nevada’s process requires approval in two consecutive even-numbered years. Voters first approved it in 2024 with 64% support.
• Missouri — This one is more complicated. In 2024, voters approved a constitutional amendment enshrining the right to abortion up to fetal viability. However, the state legislature has now placed Amendment 3 on the 2026 ballot, which would repeal the 2024 amendment and prohibit abortions except in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest, with a 12-week limit for rape or incest cases. So Missouri’s measure would actually add restrictions rather than remove them.
• Virginia — Voters will consider a constitutional amendment protecting the right to make decisions about pregnancy, including abortion. The measure received legislative approval twice as required and is guaranteed to be on the ballot.
Potential measures still gathering signatures or in progress:
• Idaho — A proposed Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Measure would provide that every person has the right to reproductive freedom and privacy, including decisions on abortion care.
• Oregon — A measure would enshrine the right to abortion, same-sex marriage, and gender transition medicine into the state constitution. Supporters need to gather enough valid signatures by July.
Measures going the other direction (adding restrictions):
• Nebraska — A potential measure would establish personhood of preborn children.
• Montana — A proposed personhood amendment would define a person as beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception.
Bottom line:
Nevada, Virginia, Idaho, and Oregon all have measures (certified or potential) that would expand or protect abortion rights, while Missouri, Nebraska, and Montana have measures that would restrict them.